Bob Stewart is pastor of Union Baptist Church. His long-running column ranges in topic from matters of faith to observations about life in Saline County, politics and the sights to see in travels throughout America.

An impressive resumé

He was sent to interpret and explain the visions God gave to the prophet Daniel.

He was there to announce to Zacharias and Elizabeth that they would indeed have a son, even in their old age.

He was sent to Nazareth to talk to a young virgin named Mary and to explain to her that because she was favored by God, she would conceive -- by the Holy Spirit of God -- a son, and that she would call her son Jesus.

He also visited a young carpenter named Joseph, who was engaged to by married to Mary, to explain that she had not betrayed her betrothed ... That she had conceived by the Holy Spirit a son who would be called Jesus , and that this son would save his people from their sins.

Could it be that this same angel -- accompanied by a multitude of the heavenly host -- who praised God on high and announced the birth of the Christ child to shepherd's watching their sheep in the pasture lands just outside of a sleepy town called Bethlehem?

Many believe it was this angel -- this Gabriel -- who sat on or near the stone which had been rolled away at the tomb of Christ following the resurrection; that it was he whom made that wonderful statement -- "He is risen!"

And many people believe that Gabriel quietly awaits the summons from the Creator when it is time to blow the blast from a golden trumpet and announce to the world that Christ is returning with legions of angels and that he rides "on clouds of glory."